County assemblies have voiced alarm over a Sh4.2 billion reduction in their budget allocations, warning that the cuts could cripple their operations within weeks.This adjustment lowers the total budget ceiling for the 47 county assemblies from Sh40.6 billion in the previous financial year to Sh36.4 billion in the current one.
Meanwhile, the Senate has approved a Sh7.93 billion increase for county executives, boosting their recurrent budget by 30.7 percent.
County Assemblies Forum (CAF) Chairman Philemon Sabulei condemned the cuts, asserting that they are intended to frustrate ward representatives and hinder essential functions.
“We cannot reduce budgets when county assemblies have been operating based on prior allocations. These cuts will strain assemblies’ ability to meet payroll obligations, risking salary delays and demotivating staff,” he stated.
Sabulei further argued that reduced funding would impair key operations such as audits, inspections, reporting, and oversight activities.
The forum also highlighted that some assemblies face budget reductions exceeding 20 percent.
Nairobi, Kiambu, Wajir, and Turkana are among the most affected counties, each losing over Sh190 million.
Despite receiving less than 10 percent of revenue allocated to devolved governments, county assemblies are expected to shoulder nearly 30 percent of the overall budget cuts imposed on county governments.
“This disproportionate burden raises concerns about the fairness and equity of these proposed adjustments,” Sabulei noted.
The cutbacks are anticipated to disrupt a variety of services, including public participation, oversight, pending bills, and employee salaries.
The County Allocation of Revenue Bill, 2024, signed into law by President William Ruto yesterday (Friday), apportions Sh387.4 billion among the 47 counties, as stipulated under Article 217 of the Constitution.
